Surname Bigaj - Meaning and Origin
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Bigaj: What does the surname Bigaj mean?
The last name Bigaj is of Polish origin. It is derived from the word “biga”, meaning “horn”. The name could refer to someone from a family of horn makers or someone who owned a horn-making business. It could also indicate an old owner of a large estate, or it could indicate nobility, as the “bigaj” was a family crest for some noble families in the former Commonwealth of Poland and Lithuania.
Beyond the origins, Bigaj is a fairly common name in Poland, and is seen throughout the Polish diaspora across Europe and the United States. It has been popularized in American culture by the likes of musician Stan Bigaj, who has a cult following among his loyal fans.
Bigaj is an interesting name that has strong ties to Polish history and culture. It can represent the hardworking mould of a humble craftsman or the nobility and prestige of Polish royalty of yesteryear. The name certainly carries an air of intrigue and prestige befitting of its origins.
Order DNA origin analysisBigaj: Where does the name Bigaj come from?
The last name Bigaj is most commonly found in Poland and surrounding countries. The earliest records of the name can be found in the 17th century, though its original form was thought to be from the German Benkauz. Variations of the name may also be found in Austria, Germany, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary.
In Poland, Bigaj is most commonly found in the provinces of Swietokrzyska, Krakowska, and Wielkopolska. According to the United States Social Security Administration, individuals with the last name Bigaj can also be found in the United States, as well as other countries such as Brazil, Canada, and Australia.
The Bigaj heritage is steeped in many cultures and, depending on the region, has resulted in different variations of the name, such as Bigajko, Bijaja, Bebaja, and Bigaaj. These different permutations of the name and its variants can offer insight into the family’s cultural background and point to its origin.
While the last name may point to a Polish background, it is not exclusive to Poland and can be found in Germany, Austria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. Regardless of its origin, Bigaj is likely to represent a varied and diverse cultural heritage that spans many nations.
Variations of the surname Bigaj
The surname Bigaj is a Polish surname deriving from the ancient Slavic nickname ‘Biga’ which is roughly equivalent to the English nickname ‘Bigger’. Variants of the surname Bigaj include Bejga, Bygo, Biegaj, Beyga, Biogaj and Byga.
These variants appear to derive from different locations in Poland, with Bejga and Bygo originating from the village of Bygo in the county of Krakow, Biegaj from a region south of the Vistula River, Beyga from district of Ostroleka and the variants of Biogaj and Byga from Ostroleka village and district respectively.
The most common spelling of the surname is Bigaj and other variations in spelling of the same name generally include Bigay, Biggaj and Bigaey.
Surnames associated with Bigaj could include Bigo, Bigai, Bigaiu, Bighay, Bigyai, Bigayu, Bihe, Byge, Bidge, Bidjan and Bidej. The Polish spelling of the surname is usually given with a ‘g’ whereas other countries might have different spellings such as Gaj or Gag.
Bigaj is a unique and ancient surname which is still used in Poland today. Although the origin of the name is difficult to trace, the variants and spellings of the name highlights the importance of the surname Bigaj in Polish history and culture.
Famous people with the name Bigaj
- Patryk Bigaj: Polish football player for Widzew Łódź.
- Mateusz Bigaj: Polish basketball player for Czech team USK Praha.
- Bartłomiej Bigaj: Polish paralympic athlete specializing in throwing events, winner of two bronze medals at the World ParaAthletics Championships in 2017.
- Damian Bigaj: Polish professional volleyball player for OK Belchatów.
- Maciej Bigaj: Polish karateka, two-time European silver medalist and four-time World bronze medalist in male kumite.
- Marcin Bigaj: Polish street and graffiti artist, known for his wheat pasting and aerosol work as well as his collaboration with other international street artists.
- Michał Bigaj: Polish cinematographer best known for his work on the films Come What May and The Coldest Game.
- Grzegorz Bigaj: Polish stylist, costume designer and fashion editor for brands like Elle, Harper's Bazaar, Glamour, and Twój Styl.
- Piotr Bigaj: Polish prominent scholar, president of the Polish Academy of Sciences, and member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.
- Ewa Bigaj: Polish Olympic judoka who won a bronze medal at the 2002 European Judo Championships.